Warrior gridders shut out Conquistadors at Serra

Fallbrook High School’s football team obtained its first shutout win since 2008 by defeating Serra High School on the Conquistadors’ field Sept. 5.

The Warriors’ 55-0 victory over Serra included eight touchdowns, two takeaways and no turnovers, five sacks, and a defense which held the Conquistadors to 50 total yards, including three in the second half, and four first downs.

“The kids were extremely focused,” said Fallbrook head coach Kyle Williams.

Serra won last year’s City League championship and had a 7-3 regular-season record prior to a first-round playoff loss. “We overwhelmed a very experienced football team. We executed at an extremely high level on both sides of the ball,” Williams said.

Fallbrook opened its season Aug. 29 with a 42-18 home win over University City in which the Warriors led 42-6 at halftime but were outscored 12-0 in the second half. After that game, Williams and his staff emphasized having the team play hard in the second half as well as the first half. “They did that, so we were pleased,” Williams said. “We were excited to see our kids come out and play for the full 48 minutes.”

The Warriors had a 20-0 halftime lead against Serra before scoring 21 points in the first 10 minutes of the third quarter and an additional two touchdowns after the running clock was activated for the game’s final 14 minutes.

Fallbrook began the game with a 71-yard drive consuming nine plays and concluding with Roberto Ramirez gaining the final four yards for the touchdown. Parker Roberson followed with the kick for the extra point.

The Conquistadors were held without a first down on their first three offensive plays of the game. Fallbrook took possession at midfield, and after an initial first down the Warriors were faced with fourth down and two yards needed for a first down. Bryce Olivo ran for the necessary yardage, and on the twelfth play of the drive Ramirez ran six yards for the score. Roberson’s kick increased Fallbrook’s lead to 14-0 and concluded first-period scoring.

The game’s only second-quarter score began after Sierra Arteaga intercepted a pass at the Warrior 33. Fallbrook’s offense gained six yards on the first two plays before Ramirez broke away for a 61-yard touchdown run. Injuries on Fallbrook’s special teams unit led to Williams’ decision to try for a two-point conversion, although the Warriors were unsuccessful.

Roberson was successful on all seven of his extra-point attempts, and five of his eight kickoffs went into the end zone for touchbacks. Trevor Rainwater’s five punt returns averaged 16 yards. “Our special teams were phenomenal,” Williams said.

Olivo ran one yard into the end zone to cap an eight-play, 50-yard drive which opened scoring in the second half. Fallbrook’s defense held the Conquistadors without a first down on the ensuing possession, and the Warriors responded with a six-play, 30-yard scoring drive in which Stephen Branham’s two-yard touchdown run preceded Roberson’s extra point. Branham, who as a center in 2013 earned Avocado East League offensive first team recognition, has been moved to fullback for his senior year.

After three unsuccessful attempts for a Serra first down, the snap went over the punter’s head and was downed at the Conquistador 3-yard-line. On the next play Enrique Barreto scored with 2:02 remaining in the third period. Serra coach Brian Basteyns requested that the running clock be started.

Rainwater’s 22-yard punt return in the fourth quarter set up a nine-play, 48-yard scoring drive which culminated in a three-yard rushing touchdown by Josh Heismanberg. On the first play after the ensuing kickoff, Antonio Gomez caused a fumble, and Matthew Kinzie not only picked up the football but returned it 12 yards into the end zone.

“We had multiple players score touchdowns for the first time in their careers,” Williams said.

Fallbrook’s varsity roster has 34 players. “Everyone played,” Williams said.

Williams noted that the substitutes also put in effort during practice. “We want to reward those kids as much as we can,” he said. “Our hope is we play them all as much as possible.”

Nathan Montgomery sacked Serra’s quarterback twice while Gomez, Kinzie, and Collin Dowling contributed a sack apiece.

Fallbrook’s previous shutout win in 2008 was a 24-0 home triumph over El Camino. The Warriors’ last road win by shutout was a 35-0 victory at Ramona in 2003. Fallbrook’s margin of victory was the largest since a 58-0 home win over Mount Carmel in 1991 and the largest road margin of victory since Fallbrook opened the 1972 season with a 60-0 win at San Pasqual. The 97 points in consecutive games are the most for Fallbrook since the 1999 Warriors followed a 63-11 victory over Hilltop with a 48-20 triumph against Poway.